Lekhny Story -28-Feb-2024

Online Shopping versus Offline Shopping written in form of an imaginary Dialogue Baazi ( Story : Genre)

Big Basket : Hai Local KGS( Kirana and General Stores).How are you ?

KGS: Bas, wohi daal, wohi chaawal ! But stocks are piling up, without much getting sold these days.

Big Basket : So the key lies in cheap prices for Indian customers. You must learn to play according to the audience, rather than use the age old traditional method of selling. Grow up, kid.

KGS: But nothing like me, for the neighboring homemaker who wants some 100 gm of Tuwar dal for her "South Indian Rasam" when she wants it urgently in the morning.
Big Basket : Why? We can also deliver if ordered online and in short duration?

KGS: Who has the patience to do that all? I will even give credit for such small purchases, because I have the faith in the neighboring home maker and mechanism to collect pending outstanding amount, which you lack.

Big Basket: That might be a point. But anytime given, I supply better quality material.

KGS : Who said? My chakki atta is much better than branded ones. Behenji swears by it. Also it is priced cheaper than brands. Also it is the same brand that we both sell. Only the mode of selling differs.

Big Basket: But nothing like, the comfort of sitting at home and ordering through app.

KGS : Not the least. You are not giving the customers the pleasure of walking to a store, see, touch and feel the product before buying it. All that glitters on your website is not gold. Many a time, what they see might not be what they get.

Big Basket : That is carrying the allegation and hatred too far. It is not true. How much would be your reach? How many customers do you handle? What is your YOY ( year on year) growth? Can you ever compete with us on these fronts?

KGS: Yes, that is not possible. But I am contented with an assured customer base. I don't want to further grow.

Big Basket: Soon, you stand the threat of losing your customers to us. Why don't you sell your own products in bulk quantities to us at cheaper prices? Your turnover would increase.

KGS: My profits will go down. I have to be your slave rather than be my master.

391 words. © B.Raj Kumar